Nikon D4: The best Full-Frame overall score ever measured on DxOMark

The sensor results for the Nikon D4 are now available, and they do not disappoint!

With a DxOMark Overall score of 89, the Nikon D4 surpasses the next-best Full-Frame sensor by just one little point, the now second-place Nikon D3x.

The D4’s Low-Light ISO score of 2965 is barely 0.15 stop less than that of the best sensor analyzed up until now (the Nikon D3s).

Its Portrait (24.7) and Landscape (13.1) scores, while not exceptional, are still very high-level.

Nikon D4: a real success for Nikon

So the D4 is a big success for Nikon, who has succeeded in placing 4 its cameras among the top 10 best DxOMark sensor scores. Only Phase One is ahead with its high-resolution but expensive Phase One IQ 180.

The DxOMark Overall score is derived from three different “use case” scores — Portrait, Landscape, and Sports. These three scores let you get a better look at the specific characteristics of each sensor.

Portrait: 24.7 bits (tied for 4th overall; best Full-Frame score)

For the Portrait score, we analyzed the sensor’s ability to provide vivid, varied, and accurate colors under good lighting conditions (i.e., studio). The D4’s score is 24.7 bits — a remarkable score and identical to that achieved by the Nikon D3x. Only certain medium-format cameras (e.g., Phase One IQ 180 and P65 Plus) do better. This score is interesting particularly for those who take photographs under studio conditions without lighting constraints and who want optimal color rendering. The Nikon D4 can respond to the demand for good color, but its 16 Mpix sensor will be certainly limiting for this kind of use. — Good thing, since the D4 isn’t really intended for portrait photographers, who really should wait for the test results of the Nikon D800, which with its much better resolution perhaps comes a little closer to the best sensor in this area, the Phase One IQ 180’s.

Landscape: 13.1 EV (11th place)

For the Landscape score, it’s only the black and white dynamic range that counts — specifically, the maximum dynamic range that the sensor will be able to capture under good lighting conditions. This score will interest aficionados of landscape photos and strong contrasts. The Nikon D4 achieves 13.1: no problem here, high-contrast images (sunsets or back-lit, for example) can be shot with a maximum of details both for shadows and highlights. Still, the results are a bit disappointing: we expected much better from the new Full-Frame sensors. As things stand, the 16Mpix Sony APS-C sensor (in the Pentax K5 and the Nikon D7000) stays way ahead — nearly 1 stop better.

Sport: 2965 (2nd place)

The Sport score (alias Low-Light ISO score) lets you know how far you can go vis-à-vis ISO without compromising on image quality. This is the score we were particularly anxious to measure for the Nikon D4: its predecessor, the D3s, had blasted by its competitors with a dizzying score of 3253. Before this new camera appeared, Nikon already had the 3 best scores in this category for three cameras equipped with members of the same sensor family (the Nikon D3, D3s, and D700). The first non-Nikon camera in this category is the 5D Mark II, whose score equates to about 1 stop less (1815).

The Nikon D4 lives up to our expectations with a Low-Light ISO score of 2965, or roughly the same score as the D3s (0.15 stop difference).

ISO 204800: SNR = 11.6dB, DR = 5.04 EV, Color sensitivity: 9.4 bits

No surprise here, the extreme 204,800 ISO will be a real challenge to handle even for the best raw converters.

Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3s: Progress?

For everything else that does not relate to sensor test results, see our previously-published Nikon D4 preview that lists all of the improvements and new features that the Nikon D4 brings with it with respect to the Nikon D3s.

The Nikon D4’s DxOMark sensor test score is indisputable:

Seven points better for the Overall score, and 1 stop better each for Portrait and Landscape, with an almost identical score for the Sport use case. The D4 is a real evolution — its new Full-Frame 16 Mpix sensor keeps all its promises. It succeeds in correcting certain weaknesses of the D3s (notably those affecting its Portrait scores).

Looking at the graphs a bit more closely, with the normalized SNR curves superimposed:

Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3s: SNR 18% print mode

No improvement in terms of quantum efficiency — just a real, additional ISO in the lower realms (i.e., ISO 100) that will allow users to take full advantage of the sensor in good lighting conditions.

In terms of dynamic range, the Nikon D4 outperforms the D3s, especially for low ISO.

Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3s : Dynamic Range print mode

One easily gains 1 stop at ISO 200. Nikon has significantly improved its noise management in shadows — at least at ISO 200.

It’s the same story for color sensitivity— improvements are mainly up to ISO 800.

Nikon D4 vs Nikon D3s : Color Sensitivity print mode

In sum, this new 16 Mpix sensor brings with it some real improvements for low ISO (from 100 to 800). As for high ISO, its measurements are comparable to the Nikon D3s’s, which remains simply the best sensor in this area.

Further readings for the Nikon D4 review

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Comments

Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED on D4

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D4">this page on the website</a></div>Am I reading wrong, or does DxOMark list two different scores for the Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IE-ED on the D4? One one page the score appears to be 35 and on another 27. See:

First replies for this comment

Re: Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED on D4

Hello,

You are not reading wrong! Here is the explanation: we changed the dxomark and sharpness scoring system last December (for further information you can have a look at DxOMark's Perceptual Megapixel on this page: www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Looking-for-new-photo-gear-DxOMark-s-Perceptual-Megapixel-can-help-you).

For this reason, previous reviews using the old scoring system are now indicated with a banner. This one was actually missing but that should be fixed soon.

What a joke!

I agree with avicenna. The 70-200 II came out in 2009 and you haven't had a chance to get your hands on one?? Stop comparing lenses that cost orders of magnitude more or less than others, and please check other sites before you recommend a 20 year old lens over a brand new one that all other sites consider improved (50 f/1.8s). You probably have a bad copy if your tests are against all other recommendations!

Missing newer lenses for comparison

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Nikon/D4">this page on the website</a></div>

You guys need to catch up on lens reviews before you post lens recommendation articles...

Some of the lenses you recommend are so old you can't even BUY them anymore. Many sections completely ignore newer lenses that are far superior to the old versions (Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-S for example), just because you haven't reviewed them.

You are doing a disservice to your readers.

...

Lenses for sports and wildlife photographers> where is the Nikon 70-200 VR II f/2.8 and the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8

Fixed Prime Lens Recommendation> where is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF-S - it should outperform the older AF-D version

The ultimate wide-angle lens for landscape photographers> THIS is the worst. How can you compare a 24mm f/1.4, a 20mm f/2.8 that costs 1/4 of the price, and a manual-focus 14mm!!! Especially the 14mm, which is 40% wider of an angle than the 24mm!> You should have compared the Nikon 24mm f/1.4 versus the newer Nikon 28mm f/1.8 and the older Nikon 28mm f/1.4 AF-D. > Or how about the Nikon 28mm f/2.8, 24mm f/2.8 and 20mm f/2.8 for a budget prime shootout?

Micro lens recommendation> Where's the new version - the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS. You can't even BUY the old version anymore! > What about the Tokina 100mm macro? Should have been a 4-way comparison of Nikon, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina lenses.

Missing section: Ultra wide angle> Here's where you put the Samyang 14mm - compare it against the Nikon 14mm f/2.8 and the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8. > Or compare the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 against the Tokina 16-28 f/2.8 and Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6. > Or compare the Nikon 17-35 f/2.8 and the Nikon 16-35 f/4 against the Tokina 16-28.

Missing Section: NORMAL ZOOM> This is the lens type that most people buy anyway, and yet, it's not here. > Where is the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8, the new Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC, the new Nikon 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 VR, or even some of the old Nikon f/2.8 zooms (since we're doing ancient lenses anyway).

D4 vs D800

Just thought I would share my opinion on the D4 and D800. It might help some of you guys out.

I owned a D3s and D300 and now use the D4 and D800 for weddings, model shoots and urban photography.

First I would like to state that the D4 is just the best camera I ever owned. It is really superb. I also shot with Canon (5D mkII) but the Nikon models just feel better when holding them. When it comes to overall image quality I would just as easily use a Canon camera. Just to point out I am not one of those guys who loves to bash the other brand :) Nikon or Canon are both great camera manufactures but I just prefer Nikon.

On all camera's I use a 14-24 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and 70-200 2.8. So there was no difference regarding lenses.The picture quality of the D800 and D4 are in my opinion pretty much the same. The higher resolution of the D800 makes reducing noise somewhat easier and brings out a little more detail.The D4 however is much better build. I find the D800 more plastic and it feels somewhat cheap. But when it comes to model shoots the higher resolution is just great to have.

During a wedding I use the D4 for the make-up shots, ceremony, diner and party. But for the bridal shoot I use the D800 for 90% off the time. When I need higher ISO's I drop the D800 and go back to my D4.

The D4 is fast while focussing and has a better ISO performance than the D3s. Most say that the ISO performance of the D3s and D4 are the same but that is not true. I can go up to ISO 10000 on my D4 and get the same quality as when I shot at ISO 6400 on my D3s. For my D800 and Canon 5D MKII I won't go higher than ISO 3200. And on my D300 I really didn't go any higher than ISO 1200. Just to point out that I am really picky when it comes to noise.

The battery life of the D4 is also better than some say. I shoot around 1700 images during a wedding (starting at 8:00 AM till 1:00 AM) and still have 3 bars left.

I don't do video so I can't say if Canon does a better job on this part.

In my opinion the D4 is the best camera to have. If you can afford it, go for it. I sold my D3s and paid a lot extra for the D4 and find the better focus (in the dark), higher resolution (for cropping) and better ISO performance are worth the money. For all types of photography in which you need a fast focussing monster camera this would be the one.When doing solely model shoots or urban photography the D800 would be the best choice because of the higher resolution.For nature photography go for the D800E.

If you don't need the higher resolution and don't have the cash for a D4, then buy a second hand D3s. You can buy one for around 3000 euro's which is the same price as a D800. But the D3s is much better build. And the ISO performance of a D3s is so much better than on a D800.

Hope this will help some of you decide.You can find my work on pixed.nl

Sony pro relfex?

Probably not, its more mirrorless even tho mirror is still there, but its EVF based camera. Sony wont make dSLR in future. Cause of that I doubt they will match D800, there will be loss of SNR due half-silvered mirror if I dont count that one which will be caused by different CFA and Sony usuall approach "colors over everything" (which is why I like them :). Plus D3x didnt performed like A900 either (cause Nikon is pretty good in squeezing Sony chips). Tho as main supplier for Nikon, they actually profit either if Nikon wins.